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Issue 18

February 2013 

JAMES DRUMMOND

Cool under pressure

ALSO INSIDE:

Olympic legacy

Is university for 

you?


The ‘secret parent’

Simply the best...




Looking forward

It doesn’t take long for a year to slide past,

Looking forward to the new one, looking back on the last.

We can dwell on our memories of one that’s just been

And each make our wishes for twenty-thirteen.

An obvious highlight that’s bound to impress

Was our national outbreak of sporting success.

We shared in their glory, each match and each race,

And thought how it might be to be there in their place.

We could be Andy Murray with his grand-slam success

Or Jessica Ennis, heptathlon princess, 

Or perhaps David Weir with his four wheelchair golds

Or sprinting Mo Farah as his double unfolds.

We could be Ellie Simmonds as she swam for the nation,

Or Nicola Adams, our boxing sensation,

We could be Bradley Wiggins on his tour de France joy

Or six-gold Olympian Christopher Hoy.

Their moments of glory weren’t moments of course

But the outcome of focus, dedication, resource,

Those marginal gains squeezed from study and sweat,

Moving forward from each setback, overcoming regret.

Renewed inspiration from coaches and friends,

Determined, relentless, belief never ends:

The courage to say that whatever we’ve done

There’s more round the corner, the best’s yet to come.

So let’s carry that with us and realise our aims

And take our own inspiration from the Olympic Games.

You don’t have to be famous for your dreams to come true.

Determined and focussed, you just have to be you.

               Written by Mr P Norris, Assistant Headteacher

How has 2013 

started for you...?

2012? 2013?




Back

Cover


Welcome

Contents

WHAT’S INSIDE

Headteacher’s thoughts



Olympic legacy



 

What next for Wilmslow High School?

Is university for you?



 

Mrs Robinson looks at post 18 options

You’re hired! 



 

What do employers look for?

8 & 9  Nature or nurture

 

Have you got what it takes?

10 

Elite performer



 

James Drummond: Cool under pressure

11 

Staff spotlight



 

Mr Shipp: mountain fitness

12 The 

‘secret parent’

 

How can we support children through    

 

high school?



13 

Mr Tatlock’s top revision tips



 

How to prepare for the examination  

 

 season


14 

Wider aspects of sport

 

Drugs in sport, women and hype



15 

Simply the best....



 

Sporting success in pictures

 

 

Sporting champions 2012



 

Sports Awards Evening and Sports Day



Front Cover: 

  

James Drummond: cool under 

pressure.  Year 11 student, 

James Drummond, talks about 

his cricketing goals in the elite 

performer interview

CONTACT US:

Wilmslow High School, 

Holly Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1LZ.

Tel: 01625 526191  Fax: 01625 536858

email: reception @wilmslowhigh.cheshire.

sch.uk


Looking forward

It doesn’t take long for a year to slide past,

Looking forward to the new one, looking back on the last.

We can dwell on our memories of one that’s just been

And each make our wishes for twenty-thirteen.

An obvious highlight that’s bound to impress

Was our national outbreak of sporting success.

We shared in their glory, each match and each race,

And thought how it might be to be there in their place.

We could be Andy Murray with his grand-slam success

Or Jessica Ennis, heptathlon princess, 

Or perhaps David Weir with his four wheelchair golds

Or sprinting Mo Farah as his double unfolds.

We could be Ellie Simmonds as she swam for the nation,

Or Nicola Adams, our boxing sensation,

We could be Bradley Wiggins on his tour de France joy

Or six-gold Olympian Christopher Hoy.

Their moments of glory weren’t moments of course

But the outcome of focus, dedication, resource,

Those marginal gains squeezed from study and sweat,

Moving forward from each setback, overcoming regret.

Renewed inspiration from coaches and friends,

Determined, relentless, belief never ends:

The courage to say that whatever we’ve done

There’s more round the corner, the best’s yet to come.

So let’s carry that with us and realise our aims

And take our own inspiration from the Olympic Games.

You don’t have to be famous for your dreams to come true.

Determined and focussed, you just have to be you.

               Written by Mr P Norris, Assistant Headteacher

11

5



Welcome to the latest edition of High 

Performance, packed with articles and 

examples that relate to inspirational 

performances.  

The theme for this issue is ‘aspiring to be 

better’, whatever your level of ability and 

whatever your passion.  

As I’ve said many times before, sport can 

be such a powerful motivational tool, which 

is why it is so important that the energy 

and ‘buzz’ created by the summer Games is used to good effect.  

Outstanding performances by role models or peers can 

often be the inspiration that is needed to reflect upon our 

own performances and ask that difficult question: can I do 

better?  This applies to all of us, whether you are revising for 

examinations, learning an instrument, setting targets at work or 

simply reflecting on your parenting skills; we can all improve.  

Here at Wilmslow High School we aim to create an environment 

that encourages student’s to have the confidence, courage, 

resilience and creativity to constantly challenge themselves; not 

to allow what they have currently achieved as being the limit for 

their ambitions.  Aiming high enough or realising your potential is 

difficult, though a good starting point is to learn to respect failure: 

mistakes equal great learning opportunities....and Wilmslow High 

School is a one time opportunity, so seize the day.

I hope that this year is a successful and happy one for you. 

Mr M Vincent, Assistant Headteacher

10

James plays for Lancashire 



Cricket Club


Headteacher’s 

thoughts...

During 2012, the Olympic year, we heard much about 

the successes of our Team GB athletes and how they 

achieved them. There were stories of hardship and 

injury, defeat and endless training, lack of funding 

and poor facilities that were obstacles to athletes’ 

performance and yet they won through, gaining the 

most medals Great Britain has ever achieved in an 

Olympics and Paralympics: truly a moment for national 

pride and celebration.

What is it that drives us all, not just Olympic athletes, 

to ‘high performance’? What, also, is it that drives 

Wilmslow High School to ‘high performance’?

When  Victoria  Pendleton  briefly  dropped  into  school 

during the homecoming celebrations to talk of her 

cycling success at the Olympics she was asked by one 

of our students about what motivates her. She said 

that what motivated her was commitment….if she did 

not train someone else in the world would be and that 

person could then beat her and she would be letting 

the team down. Basically ‘if not me, who and if not 

now, when? was enough to make her train on dark wet 

nights in winter, to train when she ached from exercise: 

Victoria’s ‘high performance’…..it didn’t just happen 

overnight!

As she said these words I thought of Wilmslow High 

School: we are a team and the success we achieve is 

because we want our students and school to do well. 

Just as the Olympic athletes talked about hardship and 

setbacks, hard work and few resources we too, as a 

school, have had to cope with just the same to achieve 

our ‘high performance’.

David Brailsford, the Head Coach for British cycling, 

recently talked about Olympic success being 

achieved through attention to ‘marginal gains’: Sir 

Clive Woodward, former England RFU coach, talked 

in the past about ‘critical non-essentials’ making the 

difference: we think in the same way for Wilmslow High 

School ……..what are some of our ‘marginal gains’ and 

‘critical non-essentials’? 

Our facilities are excellent and we improve and add 

to them year in year out through relentlessly bidding 

for funding: are these ‘critical non-essentials’? Not all 

schools put as much emphasis on their facilities yet our 

students, parents and staff tell us they are a priority: 

I agree! A positive learning environment with modern, 

clean, well looked after facilities enable students and 

staff to work to their best in a professional atmosphere. 

Educational visits and Xtra opportunities abound at 

the High School: are these ‘marginal gains’? These 

opportunities provide students to experience all that is 

good about education and life, within and beyond the 

curriculum: learning, enjoyment, developing the lifelong 

skills of team work, working hard: training hard, taking 

responsibility, coping with challenge, learning from 

mistakes. These extra opportunities enrich learning 

and give our students a ‘unique selling point’ as they 

move on into adult life with the skills that make them 

responsible citizens ready to contribute to society.

Our most important ‘critical non-essential’, as Victoria 

Pendleton said, is our commitment: we are not here to do 

an average job….we have a never ending commitment 

to improving standards and achievement, to creating a 

culture and ethos based on mutual respect, to ensure 

that everyone has a high quality experience at the high 

school be they a student, parent, visitor or member 

of staff. Our success in achieving ‘outstanding’ high 

performance is based not on ‘critical non-essentials’ 

but on ‘critical essentials’…….it didn’t just happen 

overnight! 

“ High performance…….

it doesn’t just happen 

overnight!”

4



London 2012 provided many memories that will last a 

lifetime. Jessica Ennis claiming gold in the heptathlon, Mo 

Farah in the 5000m and 1000m, Sarah Storey achieving 

so much in the cycling and the super Ellie Simmonds in the 

swimming! This was only a glimpse of the many other teams 

and individuals who represented our home nation so proudly 

throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.

Although these athletes are the stars, many world leaders, 

politicians, journalists and general public believe the real 

success of the London 2012 Olympics was the thousands of 

volunteers who ensured every aspect of the Games ran like 

clockwork. The commitment of these ‘Games Makers’, many 

of whom have dedicated a lifetime to inspiring youngsters 

and developing sport in communities around the UK was the 

real success of the London Olympic Games.  

One of these Games makers was our very own Mrs R 

Harris, Wilmslow High School’s School Games Organiser.

Inspired through her work and volunteering activities, which 

engages 1000s of young people in sport, and especially 

inspired by the Young Ambassadors, Mrs Harris was 

chosen as one of 70,000 Games makers from over 250,000 

applicants. She spent two weeks in London as a Games 

maker at the Aquatics Centre. Shift work often starting at 

6am, and finishing at midnight was exhausting. But this 

was an experience of a lifetime, developing new skills, 

meeting new people and rubbing shoulders with Sir Steve 

Redgrave, Tom Daley, Kobi Bryant and Jonathan Edwards 

to name a few. Mrs Harris is now looking to volunteer at the 

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and has also set her 

sights on Rio in 2016. 

At Wilmslow High School we will be putting together a team 

of ‘WHS Games makers’ who will support the running of the 

level 1 inter-house competitions, and level 2 secondary and 

primary competitions at the school.

The best team members will be selected to be part of 

the Event Services Team and support the running of the 

prestigious Cheshire and Warrington Winter School Games 

being hosted by Wilmslow High School on 15

th

 March 2013. 



Students will have the opportunity to lead in officiating 

various sports, working as journalists, photographers, 

creating the media, as well as general helpers to ensure we 

replicate the overwhelming success achieved by the London 

2012 volunteers.

In order to ‘inspire a generation’, we will be providing 

opportunities for our students to become qualified coaches 

and officials in a wide variety of sports. After the successes  

of the hockey officiating course, ‘quick sticks’ coaching 

course, JSLA young sports leaders’ award, JFO football 

course and trampolining coaching course, we are aiming 

to equip students with the skills necessary to make a 

difference in sport, both in and out of Wilmslow High School.

If you were inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games 

and would like to be a part of the ‘Olympic legacy’ at 

Wilmslow High School please see Miss Humphreys in the 

Olympic Hall PE office.

Who knows, you could be part of the next Games Maker 

movement at a future Olympics or Paralympic Games!

If you would like to read 

an excellent article about 

volunteering after the Games, 

go to: www.guardian.co.uk/

sport/2012/aug/09/london-

2012-volunteers-games-

makers


THE OLYMPIC 

LEGACY?


What next for Wilmslow High 

School?


So the question is: what now? What 

does the Olympic legacy leave? More 

specifically, what are we doing at 

Wilmslow High School to ensure the 

legacy has a lasting impact?

5

Mrs Harris (second from right) pictured here



with other members of the Games makers team


Whilst figures for students applying 

for university are declining nationally, 

here at Wilmslow High School, they 

are still on the increase, with 87% of 

students in Year 13 applying this year. 

However, this is not a decision that 

should be made lightly – it requires 

careful thought as what you decide is 

likely to impact on the rest of your life.  

You may think that you have a very 

clear idea what you want to do after 

leaving Wilmslow High School, or 

you might not have a clue! Whatever 

your current perspective, you need to 

take time to ask yourself the following 

questions:



What motivates me?

 The days of 

a “job for life” are gone; chances 

are you will have a number of 

“careers” in the future. But what really 

motivates you: challenge, money, 

job satisfaction, helping others or a 

particular interest?    

Do I want to continue studying or 

do I want to start earning?

 Think 

university is all about the social 

life? Wrong! You will be committing 

yourself to three, or more, years’ 

study and must be excited by this 

prospect. If you would rather be 

earning your own money, there are 

other options, such as vocational 

training or apprenticeships. 

Do I think I want to go to 

university?

 If your answer to this 

question is “yes”, you still have many 

more questions to ask and many more 

issues to think about. Remember: a 

university degree is not necessarily a 

passport to a high paid career. 



Why do I want to go to university? 

Is it for the education or the social 

life? Are you giving in to peer or 

parental pressure? Going to university 

must be the right decision for you, 

not other people. Researching other 

alternatives to university will help you 

confirm that you are making the right 

decision.

Do I even need to go to university 

for my chosen career?

 For a number 

of industries and careers, a degree 

isn’t required or necessary. If a degree 

isn’t required, you may still wish to 

go to university for the academic and 

personal experience, but be clear 

whether or not this will provide any 

practical benefit afterwards.   



Do I know what I want to study and 

why?

 Are you choosing the course 

because you truly enjoy the subject or 

because you can’t think of anything 

else? What are the employability 

statistics for similar graduates? You 

don’t want to find yourself with a 

degree and lots of debt but no job….    

What are the financial costs?

 Many 

students assume that their parents 

will pick up the university bill - in most 

cases this is unlikely! You’ll probably 

need to make use of student finance 

and loans to help cover the costs but 

don’t panic - it is the norm that most 

graduates have student debt and 

remember that you won’t have to start 

paying this back until you are earning 

a graduate level salary (over £21k). 

Also beware of the scaremongering 

in the media! Financial concerns 

needn’t be a barrier to anyone going 

to university and many advise that 

it’s better to see tuition fee loans as a 

“graduate tax”. That said, still do your 

research so that you know what you 

are signing up for and whether it will 

pay dividends.

At Wilmslow High School, we try to 

give you opportunities to sample 

different kinds of courses and 

future careers.  However, there is a 

great deal of information out there 

and many many opportunities; we 

can’t cover everything in school. 

So, whatever your aspirations, be 

proactive – we can give advice and 

make suggestions but, ultimately, the 

decision will be yours!

Whatever your chosen route, 

Higher Education, apprenticeship 

or employment, you will still need to 

obtain the best possible examination 

results to persuade institutions or 

employers to accept you. This means 

you can’t just drift along hoping 

something will turn up… it won’t! 

Successful people tend to be those 

who plan ahead. So, be prepared to 

devote considerable time and effort to 

thinking about the next stage of your 

life – it’ll be worth it!



TO GO TO UNIVERSITY OR NOT TO GO TO UNIVERSITY? 

IS THAT THE QUESTION...?

Mrs Robinson discusses the various options open to students once 

A levels are behind you.

6



You’re hired!

Three employers who have links with the 

school tell us what they look for in an 

employee


Catherine Mackenzie 

(Director of Mackenzie Marketing, Wilmslow)

“I want people who are confident and have good 

interpersonal skills – so walk tall, have a good handshake, 

smile and look at me.  I am also looking for enthusiasm 

and interest – have you 

researched my company?  

Finally, you have to convince me 

that I should hire you!

Marketing is about 

communicating with others 

and convincing them that they 

should purchase your product or 

service.  The marketing industry 

covers a broad spectrum of jobs 

from website design, search engine optimisation, public 

relations, event organisation, producing brochures and 

advertising.  

Each job requires a different set of skills; but generally for 

marketing jobs, you need to be creative and organised, 

commercial (so you understand how business works) and 

be able to communicate and put yourself in the audience’s 

shoes.”

Russell Burling



(Senior Partner - PFC Premier 

Football Coaching)

“In my industry (football & sports coaching/sports event 

management) the interview is a crucial part of our recruitment 

programme. In as little as 15 minutes, I can find out a huge 

amount about the candidate and their suitability to a career in 

sports coaching. The key points I will mark are:

Punctuality: always be on time, never be late.

Appearance: smart, clean appearance shows that the 

individual is prepared to make an effort. Body language is also 

important: never slouch in your seat, sit up.

Communication: speak clearly, 

do not mumble, don’t be afraid 

to show your personality, this is 

what the employer wants to get 

to know at an interview.

Ask pertinent questions: 

again, this will give the  

employer confidence in your 

communication skills. Do not 

ask “what will I get paid?” believe me, I have been asked that 

question on many occasions in interviews. 

And remember, always keep learning, be polite and helpful 

and show equal respect for  everyone in your company no 

matter what their role is.  Good luck!”

“You can have the 

most incredible CV, 

however, if you are a 

poor communicator, 

it is highly unlikely 

you will get the job”

Stephen Miles – (General Manager, Radisson Blu 

Edwardian Hotel, Manchester)

“Working in the hospitality industry is one of the most 

exciting opportunities in the world of work, as the 

atmosphere changes daily with a new intake of guests, 

who all have differing needs.

If you want to work in the hospitality industry, you need 

to be very customer-focused, with excellent people skills. 

As the word “hospitality” implies, the industry is all about 

pleasing and exceeding guests expectations. 

When interviewing young people into our business we look 

for enthusiasm for the industry as well as initiative, forward 

thinking and those with a great personality.”



“From the 

moment you walk 

into the interview 

room, I am 

considering if you 

are right for my 

company.”

Year 10 students participate in work experience for 

one week in the summer term.

7



 

8

NATURE OR 



NURTURE?

In this article Mr Mackintosh, Assistant 

Headteacher, asks are skills learnt, or do 

performers simply have natural ability? This is an 

age-old debate central to many discussions around 

talent and unquestionable sporting 

achievement. 

Nevertheless, some common ground is agreed by all: hard 

work and practice will contribute to overwhelming success 

either individually or as a team.  In a sporting context this 

is linked to terms such as ‘perceptual narrowing’, ‘goal 

setting’, ‘cue-utilisation’, ‘learned helplessness‘ and many 

more in depth theories. 

Essentially they all revolve around performers knowing their 

capabilities and what they need to do to achieve them, working 

hard, being praised for doing well and if they’re not doing well, 

being held accountable.

Apply this same principle to education and we create 

hard working, thoughtful, happy and motivated 

students.

So, can we unravel a debate that has been going on for 

some time and make a useful comparison for students 

at Wilmslow High School?

The belief has to be yes!   We can learn valuable 

lessons from sporting investment and research and 

apply the same principles to creating achievement in 

school. 

At Wilmslow High School, staff, students and parents 

alike will make reference to the 

“Wilmslow Way”

Quite rightly, this is not underpinned by any high brow 

academia but by what the sports psychologists have 

referred to as the ‘basics’. So what are the key ingredients that build the foundations for 

success the Wilmslow Way?

Naturally there is no magic formula. However, following a few of the basics will certainly 

contribute to a more positive outlook. There will be failures and issues along the way but, if 

all our Olympic athletes gave up the moment things got difficult, we would have no medal 

winners. 

At Wilmslow High School it should be no different, and there is an overwhelming belief 

that each and every one of our youngsters has the potential to achieve real success if they 

desire it.



REPETITION

Contrary to popular belief “practice” 



does not “make perfect”. Rather perfect practice 

makes permanent. If students consistently have the best conditions for practice in a quiet 

or engaging classroom at school, or a study area at home, information is more likely to pass into the long term memory. 

On a more basic level, establishing good routines, both in school and out, provides these highly important foundations. 

Turning up smartly dressed, well equipped and organised creates the perfect practice conditions required. 



 

The more permanent result of 

this is that it becomes second 

nature (like a well rehearsed 

skill). These simple things 

are then performed more 

automatically and the real 

challenges of developing new 

and thoughtful responses 

can begin to be programmed. 

Therefore, don’t underestimate 

the power of constantly 

reminding youngsters of 

getting the basics right and 

never apologise for repeating 

yourself. Repetition and reinforcement only strengthens the 

message and will lead to building success.

GOAL SETTING

Students need to know where they are going, given 

aspirations then supported along the way. Everyone in the 

organisation needs to be in agreement. This is referred to 

as the ‘Whiteheadian culture’ but simply means everyone 

working towards a common goal. The more aware students 

are that parents and teachers are working together for 

their primary interest, the greater the chances of success. 

The school supports this guidance every day in lessons, 

through Student Services support, careers guidance and, 

no doubt, parents plant the same aspirational seeds. The 

clearer the students’ idea of what they want to achieve, 

the more likely they will strive to do just this. The more 

regularly this is reinforced the more likely it is to happen.



DIFFERENTIATION

We are naturally all different. In every good team you want 

players who contribute different qualities in different ways. 

Youngsters are no different. Success for one student may 

not be success for another. Different students will have 

different ‘hooks’, it is important that we as staff and parents 

recognise that success can come in different forms. If 

a love of learning can be generated and the realisation 

that you are only in competition with yourself then simply 

you will be striving to do your best. This is an important 

message to constantly reinforce.

CONSEQUENCE & 

ACCOUNTABLITY

Building this success is based around an awareness of 

what will happen if we don’t do things right. In a school 

context, parents and teachers need to work together to 

highlight the value of ‘threat’ to students. If school and 

home work in partnership, and both sanction when things 

don’t go right, students will be less likely to misbehave. 

However, the real reward needs to be intrinsically desired 

by the student. Wanting to achieve has to be at the centre 

of the messages our students receive. Without this they 

don’t achieve or meet their potential. As a school, various 

sanctions encourage students to value their learning and to 

help them strive for achievement. Similarly, receiving this 

same message consistently from parents, reinforces the 

importance of getting the basics right.   

9



When did you first take an interest in cricket and who 

was it that attracted you to the sport?

“I’ve always had an interest in cricket mainly due to 

the fact that my Dad has always played. It was when 

England regained the Ashes in 2005 when I really became 

hooked.”

What is it that you most enjoy about playing cricket?

“Cricket may be a team sport but like a lot of sports, 

cricket allows an individual to shine in a number of ways, 

whether it be with bat or ball or even fielding.”

Briefly detail your cricketing achievements (highest 

score/rep teams etc)

“I have played for Cheshire since U11s.

I represented North England U15s in 2012

I am now on the Lancashire Academy.

My highest score is 101no for my club, Toft CC”

What are your cricketing aspirations?

“I would eventually like to play for  the 

Lancashire CC senior side and go on to play 

first class cricket.”

 

How important is it to set yourself 

SMART goals, and what are your goals 

for this coming season?

“It’s very important.

My SMART goals for this season are to:

●    maintain a high level of fitness

●    score 700+ club runs

●    score a century for Wilmslow High          

  

      School 1

st

 XI

●    help my school team to win as many cricket   

 

      matches as possible!”

Which current professional player do you most 

admire and why?

“Alistair Cook – he is a team player, maintains high level of 

fitness and works hard at his game and for England.”

What does your current training programme consist 

of?

“A mixture of interval and strength and conditioning 

training.”

Have you received any support from 

school with your cricket development 

and/or managing your time?

“Yes, Mr Vincent is my mentor.”

In your opinion, apart from high levels 

of skill, what does it take to become a 

top class professional?

“In order to become a first class/

professional player you need to have high 

fitness levels and good mental toughness 

as you come in and out of form regularly during a season.”

What is the best sports advice you have been given?

“Whatever the situation always try and remain positive.”

 

What are your plans after Year 11?



“Sixth form and then univeristy.”

What is your biggest strength and is there an area of 

your game you know needs improvement?

“My biggest strength is my decision making under 

pressure, however, all areas of my game constantly 

require improvement. I am always learning from my 

mistakes and trying to become a better all-round player.”

What advice would you give to any keen Year 7s who 

would like to follow in your footsteps?

“It’s important to set yourself realistic goals and if you 

are prepared to work hard you will give yourself the best 

possible chance to achieve them.”

Elite performer interview

JAMES

DRUMMOND

Cool under pressure

10

This issue’s ‘elite performer’ is a sporting all-rounder 



though his main passion is cricket.  Ever since James joined 

the High School in Year 7 he has consistently performed 

at a high level and has been a role model to his peers, 

in all ways.  Yes, James is a talented young man, but he 

has worked hard to be where he his today: determination, 

focus along with mental and physical strength are all key 

aspects of James’s development.

Captain of the U15s in 2011

James receiving his north England cap from 

England cricketer Jonny Bairstow




This issue’s ‘elite performer’ is a sporting all-rounder 

though his main passion is cricket.  Ever since James joined 

the High School in Year 7 he has consistently performed 

at a high level and has been a role model to his peers, 

in all ways.  Yes, James is a talented young man, but he 

has worked hard to be where he his today: determination, 

focus along with mental and physical strength are all key 

aspects of James’s development.

The Cordillera Huayhuash mountains of Peru were made 

famous by the epic tale of Joe Simpson’s “Touching the 

Void.” These mountains are steep and impressive.  

In August 2007, Steve, Paavo and I are giving it everything we have 

on each mountain we try, only to be sent back to base camp empty 

handed and a few pounds lighter.  Circuit training in a gym pales in 

comparison to laps on 5,000m and 6,000m mountains.  We have all 

been sick with stomach bugs for over a week, and at 4,100m, base 

camp is not the ideal place to recover.  In 

spite of malfunctioning bodies, we keep 

trying.  

To lighten our rucksacks for the arduous 

climbing, food rations are limited.  A meagre 

gruel of noodles each night is paltry in 

relation to the 1,000’s of calories our 

bodies are burning every day.  Despite us 

weakening, there is no talk of giving up, but 

the mountains have other ideas.  

At the foot of the mighty Yerupaja, winds are crushing the tent.  

Inside, my hands are numb as I clasp the violently shaking poles, 

gusts of wind lifting the groundsheet beneath me.  We retreat from 

the stunning West Face of Jirishanca with an impending storm.  With 

only a few days left of the “holiday” we return to the main town of 

Huaraz.


Boosted by a few good meals and a night in real beds, we convince 

ourselves that there is just about enough time for one final attempt 

on a big mountain.  To go faster and lighter we leave the tent and 

sleeping bags and take only the minimum of food and fuel.  

We hike up to 5,000m and spend a frigid night overlooking the 

glacier, “sleeping” until the 1.00am alarm.  The weather is perfect 

and we make our way to the summit of a fine Andean snow pyramid.  

However, we have underestimated the effects of the previous weeks 

of effort, and our climbing is slow.  We are all looking haggard and 

feeling the cold despite the strong sun.  After 3 weeks of back-to-

back climbing and various defeats, we finally reach the 6,025m 

summit of Artesonraju.  The feeling of relief and satisfaction is 

wonderful.  

As we break out wide grins and scoff a few celebratory sweets, we 

realise we’ll miss our ride home.  But, there is no point worrying 

about things you can do little about, and so just start the hours of 

abseiling into the night.  At 9.00pm we climb off the glacier with 

wobbly legs, and curl up under a thin emergency tarpaulin, wearing 

everything we have. I even put my sunglasses on to keep my eyes 

warm! 


 When I get home, I can take the belt on my jeans in by three 

notches.  



“THE WEIGHT 

WATCHERS GUIDE TO 

ANDEAN CLIMBING”

By Mr Shipp, geography teacher

“Mountaineering 

requires will 

power, physical 

effort, a good 

dose of luck, and 

success is often 

elusive”. 

Sunset on Artesonraju, Cordillera Blanca, Peru.  We ascended the 

shaded South East face on the right.

Packed and ready to leave base camp for another defeat 

in the mountains.

Paavo securing himself and the ropes to the mountain, storm 

clouds arrive from the east as we attempt the west face

Cumbre!  The top of Artesonraju.  We cannot resist a classic cheesy 

summit shot.  By this point, we feel we’ve deserved it!  

Left to right.  Me, Paavo and Steve.

11

Staff Spotlight




Behind the scenes parents take on the emotional rollercoaster of trying to support 

a child from Year 7 - 13.  It may be a comfort to know that you are not alone.  Here, 

two unamed Wilmslow members of staff share their experiences of parenting.

Living with 15 year old twins (boy and girl) who have 

GCSEs this year has brought me and my husband 

pretty close to moving out and leaving them to it, 

quoting the old addage “you can lead a horse to 

water...”

Of course we can’t do that because we care too 

much and we want them to succeed: we want them 

to be healthy, happy, and to fulfil their potential, but 

most of all, we love them and don’t want them to 

make the same mistakes we did!  

We try to strike a balance between school work and 

revision, having fun and relaxing but the ‘default’ 

setting for my two is Facebook or Xbox.  I have to 

give them gentle reminders 

(nag) about school work.  If 

that doesn’t work, I pull the 

plug out of the wireless router!  

Eventually they learn that 

in order to do the good stuff 

there has to be a small sacrifice.

There also comes a point when my husband and 

I have to pick our arguments with them;  if we are 

being challenged as one of them ‘stomps’ upstairs to 

do their homework, is it worth punishing the defiance 

if they are on their way to do what you want them to?

We tend to let the ‘dust settle’, then make our point 

very clear. 

One thing is very obvious, at 15/16 years of age 

they are trying to be grown up and independent, but 

at the same time, they are desperately scared of 

what the future holds.  They swing between lashing 

out and hating us one day and then hugging us and 

looking for reassurance the next; bless them!  But it’s 

exhausting, walking on egg-shells and not knowing if 

you are in favour from one minute to the next. We just 

constantly remind each other that we are not alone 

and that some day in the distant future we might be 

thanked for our patience.

Secret parent ‘A’, Cheshire

Right from the start in Year 7 your child will have 

regular homework.  If you take an interest in your 

child’s  homework, it encourages them to take a 

pride in it and they should then develop a regular 

homework routine. There’s nothing worse than 

homework that has to be in the next morning and no 

one’s sure exactly what to do.  It’s also good fun to 

keep up-to-date with your child’s topics.

Year 11: yikes! Actual GCSEs – yes it’s here already!  

Your child is beyond recognition from that sweet little 

Year 7 child:  now they ‘know it all’ and have all of the 

answers ready when it comes to “have you done any 

revision tonight?”

You need to be on top of what has to be in and 

when, especially when it comes to coursework, as 

time and space eludes most 16 year olds! They can 

waste hours on that laptop, but what are they actually 

doing....?

You can ask to have a look at their revision timetable, 

which they should complete in school, if  not, you 

could help them to prioritise which exams come first, 

or which exams they are less confident with and 

might need more time on.

Make sure that they have a quiet 

place to revise and doing so after 

something to eat is usually a good 

time.  Also ensure that they have all of 

the equipment that might help, such 

as highlighters, index cards, coloured 

pens etc.

Some young people are happy to revise alone, 

whereas others might prefer some supervision and 

to be tested occasionally. Also encourage your son/

daughter to take advantage of any revision sessions 

offered in school and try not to nag! I’m sure they are 

stressed enough.  

When it comes to bribery, encourage your son/

daughter to do well for his/her own sake rather than 

for money or to please you.  Explain that exams are 

not an end themselves, but a gateway to the next 

stages of life.  Good results themselves are the best 

reward.

Secret parent ‘B’, Poynton

The ‘secret parent’

“We have to pick

our arguments 

with them”

“Time and 

space

eludes most 



16 year olds!”

12



Every year just before the Easter break, I deliver an assembly to Year 

11 students where I attempt to suggest how best to prepare for GCSE 

examinations.  The essence of that assembly is presented here and 

as we approach this year’s examination season, parents can usefully 

play their part by checking that all of the following pieces of advice 

are in place for their sons and daughters:

Mr Tatlock’s top revision tips

PREPARE TO SUCCEED

I first heard the phrase, “If you 

fail to prepare then prepare to 

fail” said by Graham Gooch, 

the England cricket team’s 

batting coach on Test Match 

Special.  I’m not sure if it was 

he who coined the expression 

but the message is as valid 

for students preparing to face 

examinations as it is for Kevin 

Pietersen about to face the 

South African team. 

 



Try to devote between one and a half to two hours to revision each  



 

evening after school, and three to four hours at weekends 

Work in 45 minute sessions with a 15 minute break between each one 



During holiday periods such as half term or Easter, carefully structure these sessions by drawing up and using 

a revision timetable

Look after the basics: sleep well and eat healthily.  Build some physical activity or exercise into your daily routine



During revision sessions, take a complete break from social networking and avoid all contact with Facebook, 

Twitter and your mobile phone

Avoid distractions such as television and non-educational 



use of the internet

Make sure that all equipment and stationery is bought well 



in advance, at very competitive prices from the school’s 

very own ‘PrintWorks’ shop

Vary the type of revision you do:  read your exercise 



books and examination board approved revision guides 

(available  from  the  PrintWorks);  complete  past  papers; 

summarise  topics  in  sets  of  postcard  notes;  test  your 

knowledge and understanding by explaining concepts to 

parents or friends and use a range of websites such as 

MyMaths, BBC Bitesize or examination board sites

Ensure that you have revised all topics in each subject by 



drawing up a checklist to keep a record of your revision.

Nobody pretends that 

revision is easy or fun!  

Perhaps you could make it 

more palatable by rewarding 

yourself in small simple 

ways – maybe a sweet or 

a biscuit – each time you 

successfully complete a 

task.  The hard work you 

invest in a good, determined 

revision programme will pay 

handsome dividends and 

rewards not only on results 

day in August but also for the 

rest of your life to come.  

Good luck.  

Mr Tatlock

13

The secret to doing well in exams lies in planning.  You can help your child to create a clear revision plan and method 



of studying that will make them feel in control of their work.

All the equipment need for your son’s/daughter’s revision can be

bought at Wilmslow High School’s stationery shop ‘The PrintWorks’

Kevin Pietersen takes a break from pre-test nets to receive 

Mr Tatlock’s ‘top tips’ on texting!  As you can see - he was 

very grateful for the advice.




Who’s Nicole Cooke, though?

She’s won the women’s Tour de France, twice, 

she’s won Olympic gold, and she’s won the World 

Championship. She’s British. She’s the best female 

cyclist of her generation. There’s never been even a 

suspicion of drug abuse in her sporting history. And 

she isn’t worth even a fraction of the money that Lance 

Armstrong has.

Consider those five sentences, one at a time. 

Firstly, Bradley Wiggins has won the Tour de France 

once, and you’ve heard of him. Nicola has won 

twice, and is nearly anonymous, despite her global 

achievements; in fact, it’s only since she commented 

on Lance Armstrong that she’s had much publicity.

Secondly, she’s British. We don’t get many Tour de 

France winners, so you’d think she was worth a few 

prime-time TV interviews.

Thirdly, she’s been supreme in her sport. We don’t get 

too many of those, either, in the UK.

Fourthly, she’s reputedly clean of drugs, in a sport 

tainted by them.

Fifthly, she’s a lot poorer than Lance.

So, what’s the difference between Nicole Cooke and 

Lance Armstrong, that makes one the possessor of a 

fortune and the other a near-unknown?

I’d say there are two key differences: gender, and 

‘hype’. I’ve spoken often enough about discrimination 

against women in sport, of which this a glaring 

example, and I will again. But, for now, I’ll explain what 

I mean about ‘hype’.

‘Hype’ is one of my favourite terms. It implies the 

creation of a myth around a particular performer 

or group of performers - and it’s particularly highly 

developed in pop music, though slightly less so in 

sport. A simple example would be when you ‘hype’ 

the singer discovered busking on an underground 

station, but you don’t ‘hype’ the fact that he was just 

augmenting his music college student loan, had 

travelled in from home that morning, and was still living 

with his millionaire parents in a mansion. Now you 

know what ‘hype’ is.

The ‘hype’ around Lance Armstrong, when he 

was winning Tours de France, was that all these 

accusations of drug abuse were being made because 

the French didn’t like their tour being won by anyone 

who didn’t come from mainland Europe. Lots of people 

fell for that ‘hype’ at the time. It played on nationalistic 

prejudice, and it worked like a dream. 

Then again, even more people fell for the hype around 

the David Haye-Derek Chisora heavyweight boxing 

encounter, in which an easy Wladimir Klitshcko victim 

met someone who’d already lost to Tyson Fury, and 

people paid around £15 to watch it, just because these 

two supposedly didn’t like each other. The mutual hugs 

at the end of their short match proved that not only 

were they OK with each other; they were successful 

business partners, too. Hype: it works, doesn’t it?

The Wider 

Aspects of Sport with Mr Fredericks

DRUGS 

IN SPORT, 

WOMEN

AND ‘HYPE’

THIS MORNING (FRIDAY, 18

TH

 JANUARY) I WAS WATCHING 



EXTRACTS OF OPRAH WINFREY’S INTERVIEW WITH LANCE 

ARMSTRONG, IN WHICH HE MADE HIS “CONFESSION”. 

I’VE PUT THAT IN SPEECH MARKS, BECAUSE THE JURY’S 

STILL OUT ON WHETHER IT REALLY WAS A PROPER 

CONFESSION. NICOLE COOKE SAID “OF COURSE LANCE 

ARMSTRONG SHOULD GO TO JAIL.”

Nicole Cooke

Lance Armstong on the Oprah Winfrey Show, January 2013

14



15

1st XI football - A successful start 

to the season saw them progress 

to the last 32 of ESFA national cup 

competition

Jamie Frost has broken into the Burnley 

FC youth team this season, playing at 

both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium 

in the cup against Manchester United 

and Manchester City

Sam Broster and Sam Lawton 

have both represented Sale Sharks 

Academy side this season

1st XV rugby are having another 

excellent season, both in terms of 

Saturday morning fixtures and results 

in the Daily Mail Cup competition

John Fogarty is a member of the 

north west basketball team and has 

also been selected in the initial U16 

England squad

Saskia Swatland has represented 

the north of England hockey team at 

U18 level

Charlotte Foster is a member of the 

north west judo squad and has won 4 

gold medals and 1 bronze in various 

tournaments over the past 12 months

Georgie Webster (U17 England 

squad) and Iona Darroch have 

been selected for the regional and 

Manchester Thunder talent squads

James Drummond

 

represented north 

England U15s in 2012 and is

also on the Lancashire Academy 

Squad

Lincoln Strong is representing Team 



Ultimate in the U37kg advanced 

category.  He won a bronze in the 

European Taekwondo Championships

Luke James - following in brother 

Sam’s footsteps, Luke is now a 

member of Sale Sharks, EPDG

Ruby Peters has represented the 

north of England hockey team at U18 

level

Senior netball team - winners of the 



Cheshire County Tournament

Following the north west and north 

of England rounds of the national 

trampolining competitions, a record 

7 teams qualified for the 2013 British 

National Finals to be held in Cannock 

in March

U16 netball team - winners of the 

Cheshire County Tournament

SIMPLY THE BEST..... 




As we shiver in the February 

freeze, cast your mind back to 

a year of breathtaking sport that 

culminated in two huge summer 

events: yes, Sports Day and The 

Sports Awards Evening.  Two 

events that celebrated all that 

is great about sport at the High 

School: effort, participation, 

determination, leadership and 

excellence.  The first celebration 

of sporting success took place at 

a new venue, Wilmslow Leisure 

Centre, with over 150 students 

and 300 plus parent/guardians 

in attendance.  The audience 

clapped and cheered the many 

recipients and were treated to 

a variety of entertainment that 

included: an inspirational talk from 

Rene Muelensteen (Manchester 

United 1st team coach), dance 

groups, rythmic gymnasts, Samba 

drumming and ‘Xbox’ Olympic 

challenges.  The evening’s 

male and female sports 

personality awards went to 

Elliot Rowe and Iona Darroch.

It was a fantastic celebration 

of sporting achievement that 

has now become a regular 

event in the school calendar.

On a wet Friday in July, Bollin, 

Harefield, Thorngove and 

Norcliffe battled it out in a 

Sports Day that was very nearly 

cut short by the persistent rain, 

but, in true Wilmslow spirit, 

competitors, spectators and 

staff were not to be defeated, 

with Norcliffe claiming the cup 

for the second year running.



SPORTING CHAMPIONS 2012

Mr Pickup interviews Mr Dooling (Jnr and 

Snr).  Mr Dooling (Snr) carried the Torch at 

Tatton Park.

   Mrs Bremner races Rene on the ‘Xbox’ sprint        Rene gives an inspirational speech

                  Sports Leader awards                         Gymnast, Georgia Brown in action      Sport leaders lead the audience   



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